CLC Welcomes Decision to Create New Union

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 15, 2012) - The President of the Canadian Labour Congress has welcomed a decision by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada to create a new union along with the Canadian Auto Workers.

"The members and leaders of the CEP and CAW are choosing the best way forward for their unions," Georgetti says.

Delegates to the annual CEP convention meeting in the City of Québec voted in favour of a proposal to create the new union. Delegates to a CAW convention had earlier voted unanimously in favour of the same proposal at their August 2012 convention in Toronto.

"The Canadian labour movement has to find innovative ways to challenge a corporate and government agenda that pits union and non-union workers against each other in a race to the bottom," Georgetti says.

He adds, "This harsh reality is why these two unions will create a new union and it's why the Canadian Labour Congress has led a dialogue on how the labour movement can become a more effective advocate for all workers."

Georgetti points to CLC research that shows unionized workers in Canada earn an average of $5.11 an hour more than workers who do not belong to unions. "Decent wages and pensions mean prosperous communities because unionized workers spend most or all of their pay cheques close to home."

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.3 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils.

Website: www.canadianlabour.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @CanadianLabour